Young Africans SC have cooled their interest in Chippa United forward Justice Figuareido after a move to the Tanzanian champions appeared imminent. FARPost understands that Yanga and Chippa had reached a verbal agreement over the transfer of the Eswatini international, while the player had also agreed to personal terms.
The move appeared to be a formality at one stage, with Figuareido expected to travel to Dar es Salaam on Saturday to finalise the transfer. However, the deal has since stalled, and, for now, is off the table.
Figuareido remains at Chippa United and has returned to training with the Gqeberha-based outfit as uncertainty surrounds his immediate future. The striker joined the Chilli Boys from Richards Bay FC ahead of the 2025/26 season and quickly established himself as one of the club’s most influential attacking players. His goals, work rate and assists played a key role in helping the Chilli Boys retain their Betway Premiership status.
The 28-year-old had emerged as one of the players high on Yanga’s new head coach, Manqoba Mngqithi’s wishlist as the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor began reshaping the squad for the new season.
NO JUSTICE FIGUAREIDO AS SHALULILE ARRIVES AT YANGA
Since taking charge in Dar es Salaam, Mngqithi has overseen an aggressive recruitment drive, with the club bringing in several high-profile signings. Among the headline arrivals is Peter Shalulile from Sundowns, a signing that has significantly altered Yanga’s attacking options.
The Namibian marksman’s arrival not only occupies one of the club’s foreign player spots but also strengthens competition in the centre-forward position that Figuareido was expected to fill.
Yanga have also bolstered their frontline and wide attacking areas with the acquisitions of Hussein Mihambo from Mashujaa FC, Cheikh Ibrahima Toure from Saudi Arabia’s Al Jablain FC, Albert Kangwanda from Red Arrows, Eric Mwijage from KMC FC, Housseine Zakouani from Al Zulfi and Juma Issa Abushiri from Fountain Gate FC.
The club has further reinforced its defensive ranks by signing Abdulnasir Muhamed from Mashujaa FC and Mohamed Mussa.
With Yanga’s busy transfer activity, the club has opted to put the Figuareido deal on hold. While the transfer is not expected to materialise at this stage, the situation could still change before the transfer window closes.
For now, though, the former Manzini Sundowns attacker remains a Chippa player as he continues preparations for the upcoming Betway Premiership campaign.
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